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Fitness Tips

The Essentials of Becoming a Golden Goddess

Fake tans generally fall into two categories: cosmetic
bronzers and sunless tanners. Cosmetic
bronzers can be compared to regular makeup, as the application is
similar, and you get to wash it off at the end of the day, while
sunless tanners stain the skin to achieve a darker colour, and only
fade when you lose skin cells.

Cosmetic Bronzers

These products are usually applied to the face, and come in a
range of forms: powders, gels, spray, creams and sticks. They are
generally easy to apply, and they last from a few hours, up to a
full day, depending on the quality of the product (and when you
wash your face!). Bronzers have warm tones that mimic a healthy
tan, and give your skin a radiant glow - just what every bride
wants on her wedding day.

Bronzing Powders

Powders are by far the most popular form of bronzer. You can use
pressed or loose powder, and it's available in a variety of shades.
It's easy to blend, you can place it perfectly wherever you want,
and it instantly makes you look like you've just come back from
Bali.

Bronzing Gels

These are harder to apply and dry quickly, which means that your
results can vary. This is a concentrated product and it requires
some experience to correctly apply it. Add a small amount of gel to
your moisturiser and apply it over your face, neck and chest.

Bronzing Spray

This is a quick and easy way to fake a tan, but it can be messy,
so apply the spray while you're in your bathtub. They're usually
water-based, so if you find that you've created a Jackson Pollock
on the wall behind you, you should be able to hose it down without
a problem. Use it on your face, neck and chest, and apply under
natural light to get the right effect.

Bronzing Cream

This is a good choice for dry skin as it moisturises while
leaving a healthy tan. It blends easily onto your skin, or over
foundation, but use it before powder to avoid caking and streaking.
Apply using fingers or a sponge.

Bronzing Stick

It's quite similar to a deodorant stick and it's popular for its
no-hand application. You can also dab the stick onto problem areas
like scars, and then blend the colour using a sponge or your
fingers, to hide the imperfections. Use powder to set the bronzer
so it won't rub off.

General Bronzing Dos:

- Choose a colour closest to your natural skin tone, no more
than a shade darker, and preferably matt
- Pick a product that suits your skin type (sensitive, oily,
combination)
- If your hair is up, remember around your ears and your
hairline
- Apply and blend down your neck and décolletage
- Touch up during the day
- Focus on areas that naturally get sun, such as cheek bones, the
bridge of your nose and your chin
- Work slowly - you can always add more colour

General Bronzing Don'ts:

- Avoid anything too dark or too
orange
- Shimmer could collect in the creases of your face, and it may
also make you reflect like a disco ball in your photos
- Using the same products throughout the year is a no-no, as your
skin is different depending on the season
- Too much bronzer can make you look dirty
- Collar bones and shoulders shouldn't be forgotten, so apply
shimmer to accentuate them
- Applying bronzer to your entire face is unnatural, you should be
highlighting and contouring certain areas

Self- Tanning/ Sunless
Tanners

All sunless tanning products contain a
substance called DHA, and while it sounds scary, it's actually safe
to use. It works by turning the topmost layer of your skin darker,
and as your skin cells get rubbed off, the tan will begin to fade.
It's considered semi-permanent and usually lasts between 3-7 days.
Bronzers come in many forms: sprays, lotions, gels, mousse or
towelettes, and there are specific products for the body and more
sensitive ones for the face.

Self- Tan Spray

This is one of the most popular types
of self-tan, and as the name suggests - it's a tan that gets
sprayed on. You can have it done in a booth at a salon, by using an
airgun, or spraying from a bottle. It's a quick and effective
process when you have it applied professionally, but it can be
tricky if you're at home alone, and you're trying to reach between
your shoulder blades. Your spray-on tan looks best on the second
day after application, so book your session for 2 days before your
wedding, but only if you've been before and know exactly how your
tan will look.

Self- Tan Lotion

The appeal of a lotion is that you moisturise while gaining a
tan. Many companies have also created products that have a small
amount of DHA, and this allows you to gradually build your tan over
time. The more you use, the darker your skin colour will be, but
don't be hasty as your colour takes time to fully develop.

Self- Tan Gel or Mousse

These both dry fast and so they need to be rubbed into the body
quickly, to stop you from streaking and blotching. Neither seems to
lasts as long as a lotion.

Self- Tan Towelettes

These individually wrapped towlettes are rubbed onto your face
and body in a circular motion, but shouldn't be pressed too hard or
you'll get an uneven result. Use only one per application and
repeat every 3-4 days to maintain your tan.

General Self- Tan Dos:

- Exfoliate before you apply self-tan - especially knees, heels
and elbows - to minimise blotching.
- Wax or shave a day before your session, so your pores have time
to close.
- Get help for those hard-to-reach places.
- Apply moisturising lotion to your elbows, knees, hands, around
the edges of your feet and between your toes to create a
barrier as they tend to go darker than the rest of your body.
- Remember around your hairline, and on and behind your ears.
- Have a trial run long before your wedding day.
- Lighter is better than darker.
- Wait a few hours to see if your colour is developing.
- If you have a sensitive skin it's essential to test the products
first, to see if you have a reaction.

General Self- Tan Don'ts:

- Remove all moisturisers, deodorants, perfumes and makeup on
the day, as these prevent you from getting an even tan
- Follow your instructions and wait before putting your clothes
back on
- Applying products up and down will cause streaking - rather apply
in a circular motion
- Immediately wash hands after applying products to avoid staining,
or wear gloves
- Don't shower for at least 8 hours
- When you wash for the first time, don't use soap, and then pat
yourself dry - don't rub
- Avoid soaking in water - especially if it's chlorinated
- If you tan on your wedding day you could stain your beautiful
white dress
- It's about enhancing your skin tone, not changing it
- Leave the skin-tight clothes in your cupboard for a few days

You don't want to blend in with your ivory dress, but you
certainly don't want to look like an Oompa Loompa, and that's why
it's important to test all bronzers and sunless-tanners before you
walk down the aisle. There are a wide range of products to suit
every skin tone, and you need to find that perfect shade, so that
you suggest a tan, rather than fake one. Having a beautiful tan
doesn't mean you need to risk skin damage, you can achieve they
perfect sun-kissed, holiday look to ensure that you walk down the
aisle looking tan-tastic.